Coordination

Overview: To understand coordination, we first need to understand independent clauses. An independent clause contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought; in other words, an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. When two independent clauses are equally important and about the same topic, they are coordinate and can be joined together in the same sentence by a coordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb. By joining them, you can create compound sentences, which improves the complexity of your writing and helps you avoid having too many short, simple sentences.

Coordinating Conjunctions

When two independent clauses are coordinate, they can be joined by a coordinating conjunction and a comma. Coordinating conjunctions usually appear in the middle of a sentence. They are commonly remembered by the acronym “FANBOYS,” in which each letter stands for a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Example 1:

One benefit of group study is that students learn others’ perspectives, and each member can share his or her unique insight with the group.

Example 2:

There were no vegetarian items on the menu, so I filled up on complimentary bread.

Note that some of these words have other functions when they are not acting as coordinating conjunctions, in which case they may not require a comma. In the following sentences, “and,” “or,” and “for” do not join independent clauses; therefore, they are not acting as coordinating conjunctions and do not need a comma:

Next semester I’m taking English and math.

I am going to take either English 180 or English 250A.

I am looking for an English class that fulfills a GE requirement.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Two independent clauses of equal importance and similar emphasis can also be joined by a conjunctive adverb. When conjunctive adverbs join independent clauses, they are preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. Here are some common conjunctive adverbs:

Conjunctive Adverbs

To show addition

also

further

furthermore

in addition

likewise

moreover

next

To show contrast

conversely

however

instead

nevertheless

on the other hand

otherwise

still

To show result

as a result

consequently

hence

subsequently

then

therefore

thus

To show a specific case

for example

for instance

in fact

specifically

To strengthen a point

certainly

essentially

indeed

Example 1:

Students prepare carefully before group-study sessions to avoid disappointing the group; therefore, students spend more time studying individually as well.

Example 2:

There were no vegetarian items on the menu; consequently, I filled up on complimentary bread.

Note that in the previous two examples, you could also insert a period after the first independent clause and begin a new sentence: There were no vegetarian items on the menu. Consequently, I filled up on complimentary bread. Either option is correct according to the rules of grammar and punctuation.

Also note that conjunctive adverbs do not always join independent clauses. When a conjunctive adverb interrupts a single independent clause, it is preceded and followed by a comma.

Example 1:

My sister claims that she recently completed a cooking class. The bland taste of her casserole, however, suggests that she needs more practice.

Example 2:

I recommend, therefore, that you reject her dinner invitations.

Practice: Focus on one paragraph in your writing, and identify the independent clauses. Do you have several independent clauses standing alone as simple sentences? Choose two and combine them by adding a coordinating conjunction or conjunctive adverb along with the correct punctuation. Make sure that the sentences in your paragraph do not all follow the same structure. Remember that variety makes writing more interesting.

Copyright (C) 2016. All rights reserved. This handout is part of a library of instructional materials used in California State University, Long Beach’s writing center, the Writer’s Resource Lab. Educators and students are welcome to distribute copies as long as they do so with attribution to all organizations and authors. Commercial distribution is prohibited.

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